The Theatre

We go to the theatre to see a play, a performance given by actors and actresses. A play of a serious character, dealing with important human problems is called a tragedy. A play of a humorous, tighter character is a comedy (or a farce). Dramatists are called playwrights nowadays and there are no longer such great dramatists as Shakespeare or B. Show. If we want to go to the theatre we buy tickets at the box-office and show them to the attendant at the entrance. In the building there is a hall, a large foyer and a cloakroom where we leave our overcoats, hats, etc. The audience can walk in the foyer in the intervals. Many doors lead to the auditorium consisting of stalls, boxes and balconies. In front of the auditorium there is a curtain separating it from the stage. The curtain rises when the play begins and falls at the end of each act Many people must work together to produce a play. The author writes it; the producer conducts the acting; carpenters, mechanics, designers prepare the scenery; electricians and light operators see to the light effects and operate the floodlights. We, the playgoers (or fans) demand an interesting plot, good acting and impressive scenery, that is two hours of good entertainment.

Cinema

In England the cinema is usually called ‘the pictures’. In America the word ‘the movie’ is often used. Cinema-going is a favorite pastime in Britain. People go to the cinema once or twice a week. Cinema-going is more popular in industrial towns in the North of England and Scotland than In the South. However, especially if it is cold and wet outside, many people like to stay at home to watch TV. Cinemas in England are usually large and more comfortable than the theatres. Often there is a restaurant, so that it is possible to spend an afternoon and evening there (if you have enough money, of course). Behind the cinema screen there is a stage, so that the building can be used for concerts and other performances. British cinemagoers see mainly English and American films, though many of the foreign films are often shown in London and in the South of the country. In our country cinema going is not so popular now as it was earlier. People prefer to stay at home and watch TV or video.

Music

Music plays a big role in our life. Can you think of a day without it? We hear music everywhere: in the street in shops, in parks and at home. Music follows us from childhood and we can't live without it. We listen to music when we are happy or sad, we dance to it and we learn to play music, too. Music is not a combination of sounds, it is art. There are a lot of kinds of music: classical music, jazz, popular music or pop-music, rock and club music. They are all different, but still people listen to them and enjoy. Music reflects our life, our feelings and emotions.

Mass Media

We live in the world of information. It is everywhere and sometimes it is even more valuable than money. Mass media, that is the press, radio, television and the Internet, play an important role in our society. They inform, educate, entertain and give us any kinds of information. The press is one of the most powerful kinds of mass media. Nowadays there are daily, weekly and monthly newspapers and magazines. Television plays a big role in our society, too. Most people have several TV-sets at home. Television gives a great opportunity for people to learn latest news. There are also a lot of educational programmes, children’s programmes, films and soap operas on TV, Talk shows are also very popular with people nowadays.

Exercise 2 Answer the following questions

1. Why do we go to the theatre? 2. Where do we buy tickets? 3. What kinds of plays can you see in the theatre? 4. When did you go to the theatre last time? 5. What play did you see? 6. How is the cinema called in England and in the USA? 7. What kinds of films can you name? 8. What kind of music do you prefer? 9. What is the role of music in our life? 10. What is your favourite composer or singer?

Exercise 3 Translate and memorize the following expressions from the text

A play, a performance, to have a headache, to be fond of, to listen, to enjoy, to perform, a combination of sounds, classical music, jazz, popular music, pop-music, rock, club music, to watch films, a tighter character, the box-office, playwrights, good acting, impressive scenery, to be worth seeing.

Exercise 4 Find synonyms (antonyms) among the following words.

Many , drawbacks, to search, to speak with, smart, a lot of, to enlarge, the greatest, wide range of, to look for, to decide, free time , to one’s mind, to solve, to widen, to talk to, it seems to smb., incorrect, clever, a great choice of, the biggest, leisure time, mistakes, wrong.

Exercise 5 Write a summary of the text, presenting the content of each paragraph in 2-3 sentences. Use the expressions:

The main idea of the text is ... The text deals with one of the most important (urgent) issues ... Much attention (consideration) is given to (classification, description) ... It focuses on the matters of ... The text gives an overview of ... The text is mainly concerned with ... The aim of the survey is to show (demonstrate, find)... Particular emphasis is given to the analysis of… The text gives a detailed analysis of (reports on) ... To sum up ... In conclusion ...

Индивидуальное задание для студентов заочного отделения к курсу

«Английский язык»

Вариант № 14/1c

Exercise 1 Read the text and translate it in written form.